What is a sportsbook - How to start a sports betting business in 2025
- Sakshi Pachorkar
- Apr 1
- 15 min read
Updated: Apr 21
Technological advancements and the growing demand for online betting platforms are boosting the global sports betting industry. With the increasing legalization of sports betting in different countries, the market will continue to grow in 2025 and beyond. For entrepreneurs looking to tap into the profitable opportunities of sportsbook business startup, it is crucial to understand what a sportsbook is and how does it operate. This blog is an ultimate guide for such entrepreneurs and business thinkers to provide a one-stop answer to all your queries about how to start a sportsbook in 2025. Know about launching your sports betting business, upcoming trends, considerations, and choosing the right sportsbook software provider. What is a Sportsbook?

A sportsbook is a service platform that allows players to place wagers on various sporting events. This is the foundation of the sports betting industry as a whole, allowing betting on different sports, events, and outcomes.
Sportsbook — whether online or retail—serve as an intermediary between bettors and sporting events, establishing odds, taking bets and paying out winnings. Today, sportsbooks provide advanced features like during game betting, mobile access and secure deposits to improve user interaction.
Considering the accelerating digital transformation, online sportsbooks have turned into the ideal answer for players and administrators the same, offering them a large pool of sporting options from across borders to bet on at their fingertips.
Sports Betting & Sportsbook – Market Overview
The global sports betting industry is booming, with rapid adoption in all regulated markets like Europe, North America and Asia. As per recent market insights, the online sports betting market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.5% over the period from 2023 to 2025.
Even the thrive to regulate and adopt in the currently non-regulating markets is also on the verge.
Europe & North America Lead the Market — The UK, Italy, and the USA are leading in terms of revenue from sports betting with legalized operations.
Mobile Betting Boom – The majority of sports bets, i.e. over 70%, are now made on mobile devices, which means mobile-first sportsbook platforms are essential.
Live Sports Betting is the Revenue-Builder - Nearly half of the total sports betting revenue comes from in-play bets, as per the survey.
The Esports Growth – Betting on esports is gaining traction, particularly notable among younger bettors.
Cryptocurrency Integration - In response to the need for enhanced security and anonymity, many sportsbooks now accept crypto payments.
Sportsbook Terms & Elements You Must Know Before Moving Ahead
Opening a sportsbook business means you must have a basic knowledge of fundamental terms. Here are some key terminologies that serve as a mini glossary for sportsbook business development.
Action: Refers to the act of betting on sports events.
ATS (Against the Spread) – A bet based on the point spread rather than a straight-up win/lose.
Arbitrage Betting— You stake on all outcomes of an event to secure a profit.
Bad Beat— A loss that occurs due to an unexpected outcome late in the game.
Bankroll— The total amount of money a bettor has set aside for betting.
Betting Exchange— A platform where bettors can place bets against each other instead of a bookmaker.
Bookmaker: Also known as a bookie, an operator that accepts bets.
Buck: A bet worth $100.
Chalk – The team or player that is heavily favored to win.
Closing Line – The final odds or point spread before an event begins.
Cover – When a team beats the point spread.
Dime: A bet worth $1000.
Dog – Short for underdog, the team or player expected to lose.
Edge – A perceived advantage a bettor has over the sportsbook.
Exotic: Any wager that isn’t a straight bet, typically complicated and difficult.
Even Money – A bet where the payout is equal to the risked amount (1:1 odds).
Fade – To bet against a particular team, player, or public consensus. Favorite: The team or outcome most likely to win the event.
Futures: A bet on the eventual winner or champion of a sport/ championship.
Handle – The total amount of money wagered on a specific event.
Hedge – Placing bets on the opposite side of an original bet to minimize potential loss.
Juice (Vig or Vigorish) – The commission or fee a bookmaker takes on bets. Limit: The maximum amount of bet that the player can place, set by bookmaker.
Lines: The betting lines or spreads created by the sportsbook.
Live Betting: Bet on an event or sport in real time.
Margins: The percentage of the total bets that sportsbooks retain as profit.
Understanding all these will help you make the right and in-depth understanding when it comes to your sportsbook platform setup.
The Emerging Trends of Sportsbook in 2025 You Must Not Miss
The online betting landscape is continuously evolving, and therefore, staying ahead of the sportsbook trends is crucial for your business success in 2025. Here are some of the emerging trends shaping the sportsbook industry:
AI-Powered Personalization
AI and machine learning technologies are improving different aspects of sportsbook operations, spanning from odds calculation to risk management and customer personalization.
User Data Analytics: AI algorithms analyze user behavior to make personalized betting suggestions.
Personalization: Observing users' betting patterns, habits, preferences, etc. to offer different odds and promotions.
Improved Customer Service: AI chatbots offering immediate support and better betting insights for seamless serviceability.
Cryptocurrency & Blockchain
Blockchain technology is changing the level of transparency and security of sportsbook platforms, such as by providing decentralized betting systems, meaning every transaction is documented on the blockchain ledger for security purposes.
Transactional Security: When talking about security, Blockchain provides transparency & knockdown-proof transactions.
Crypto Payments: Accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum and other crypto withdrawals or deposits.
Smart Contracts System: Automated payouts based on terms agreed by both parties on pre-defined conditions.
Micro Betting Expansion
Rather than wagering an extensive pre-match bet, bettors can now place micro bets on individual happenings such as who scores next, whether a foul or corner is to arrive, etc., all unfolding in a live match.
Мicro-Betting options: Bets on small in-game events such as kills, objectives or round outcomes.
Live Streaming Integration: Enabling users to view and wager on esports and sporting events opportunistically.
Tech-Powered Experience: Advanced analytics and reporting in real-time that makes live streaming even more fun and strategic.
Mobile-First Betting
The mobile betting industry alone is speeding the sports betting trends globally. Mobile betting would take up around 61.5% of the market share by 2026, thus widening the opportunities for businesses to edge the mobile betting arena.
On-the-go Betting: Increasing player participation aided by accessibility of betting anytime and from anywhere.
Responsive Interface: Optimized interfaces and designs to fit device screens easily without compromising the performance.
Live Updates: Real-time push notifications and sharing of live events, odds changes, and more for gaining traction.
These trends are transforming the way we see sportsbook as, transforming the manner sportsbook functions, and providing users far more engaging and secure betting experiences.
Points to Consider Before You Start Your Sportsbook Business
As sportsbook business thinkers and entrepreneurs, you must mostly be involved in getting accurate and valid answers for even the basic queries. For instance, how and when to plan the development, how to get legal acceptance to your betting platform, and whatnot.
Well, starting a sportsbook business demands strategic planning and in-depth market understanding. However, the things to consider at the basis stage of our sportsbook development are here as detailed for you as for navigational purposes.
Market Research & Planning
The first element to planning your sportsbook business setup and launch is conducting thorough market research by understanding market dynamics and competition.
Research on the market involves the identification of your target audience, localized trends and preferences, existing competitors and the scope of new entrants.
Legal & License Requirements
Next is to know about and obtain necessary licenses for the regions you target to launch your sports betting business in. It must be understood that legal approvals and license acquisition is vital for smooth business operations.
Additionally, ensure your sportsbook trading business complies with local gambling laws and regulations. This answers your query about ‘how to legally operate and sustain a sportsbook bookie business?’.
User Requirements Understanding
Of course, this goes hand-in-hand as soon as you think about starting a bookie business. Consider what your target audience expects from the sportsbook.
To succeed in the betting market, knowing about the geo-specific trends, popular gaming and sporting trends, popular odds styles, payment methods, etc., should be considered.
For instance, soccer in the UK, basketball in the USA, and football in Brazil gets the most popularity, your sportsbook trading mindset must analyze the trends regularly.
Security & Risks Management
If you ask, ‘what makes the best sportsbook app or website?’, it’s the platform security at first to mention. Having your online sports betting backed with data encryption, and anti-fraud mechanisms is really crucial.
For players’ security and authentication, on the other hand, implementation of procedures like KYC, multi-factor authentication, etc., should be set along with AML (anti-money laundering) tools.
Tech & Industry Advancements
How to keep the sportsbook business successful and competitive in the industry? Well, the secret lies in its continuous upgradation and market fitness. This is something to achieve with continuous evolution and transformation of your tech stack and tools.
Moreover, players look for novelties, and therefore updating your sportsbook platform with industry-focused advancements becomes vital.
How to Start an Online Sports Betting Business? A 6-Step Guide for Successful Launch
Starting your online sportsbook bookie business requires a structured approach. However, certain hidden steps keep following your development and launch, and even afterwards. Here’s a step-by-step guide to developing and launching your online sports betting business successfully that covers.
Selecting the Right Sportsbook Provider
If you think of the ideal way to begin your online bookie business planning and setup, the very first step in the process is to find the best online sportsbook software provider for your business.
But how to analyze if the sports betting software provider is just right for my business planning and development? The answer lies in providers’ capacity to serve your sportsbook planning with all requirements in time and efficiency.
Below in the blog is provided the list of 5 fundamental yet most crucial elements your chosen provider for sports betting solution must serve.
Here’s a mini checklist to aid your sportsbook provider’s selection:
Expertise & experience
Resource augmentation budget
A rough business plan.
Business Planning & Market Research
The next step in the bookie software development process is to conduct market research and analysis. With the help of your betting app providers’ expertise, identify target markets and user demographics.
Analyze market and sporting trends for every region you target your placement into, and create an expert-driven, competent business plan. Define your business objectives and outline the budget, strategies, and marketing plan.
Basic requirements you must checklist at this stage:
Business objectives and value proposition
Revenue model and budget
Marketing and operational strategy plan
Legal Compliance Setup & Licensing
Moving forward and as you ensure your target regions to operate sportsbook trading business into, the process moves to identifying, analyzing, and proceeding on the gambling regulations and compliance for target regions.
Here is when you can take the MOST use of your bookie platform provider. Apply for gambling licenses from reputed authorities such as Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Curacao eGaming, or else.
Moreover, ensure compliance with regulations like AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) for transparent operations.
This step goes a little exhaustive, as documentation part is extensive and abundant, so here’s the quick checklist:
Business registration and legal documents
Banking statements, tax and financial statements
Third-party agreement details
Employee documentation details
Designing & Development of Sportsbook
The next is to design and develop your sportsbook platform. For your online sports betting website to look and feel good to your users, adding customization and brand-identical UI/UX are good steps to look for.
Moreover, conceptualization of your overall web and app designs, selection of right tech stack with the help of your betting software providers and its development, etc., are also the crucial mini steps to take into this stage.
This basic checklist is for you to aid your lengthy designs and development deliverable assurance:
Wireframe and prototypes
User interface (UI) design
User experience (UX) design
Tech stack and tools
Integrations & System Setup
In addition to your development of sportsbook platform, the next is to integrate trusted and authorized systems and tools for streamlining operations and data gathering.
This can include integration of tools such as content management system (CMS), customer relationship management (CRM), bonus engine, payment gateways, odds, and beyond.
Moreover, the process undergoes testing and verification on different parameters like performance, stress, functionality, quality, user-friendliness, etc.
Now, what deliverables do you need to check at this stage? Here’s the quick look:
Providers’ contract and agreement
Quality assurance reports
User manuals and release notes
Marketing & Launch
Finally, plan your official launch supported with pre-launch marketing campaigns via several marketing channels, affiliate programs, social media promotions, etc., for user acquisition.
Attract and retain customers from the very beginning using promotional bonuses, loyalty programs, and beyond.
Maintain routine check and monitoring of your sportsbook trading platform launch for an uninterrupted experience, real-time bug fixes, and performance.
The final checklist that you need to have:
Content & marketing plan
Digital marketing plan
Performance KPI plan
5 Things to Look for While Choosing Your Sportsbook Provider
Developing your own website for betting is a complex and challenging process, especially if you are new in the business. Hence, having the right and the best sports gambling software development company is essential.
The best sportsbook provider is one of the most important and well-thought-of decisions you can make that would influence the success of your sports betting solution. However, with so many available, you need to know what to look for when making your selection of sports betting provider. Here are five things to keep in mind:
Diverse Sports Coverage
Choose a sportsbook provider that offers a broad selection of sports and events so that your platform can meet a varied range of user preferences. Whether your target audience is UK, USA, Europe, or beyond – a single betting software provider must be chosen that has the capability to serve all regions, sports, and events.
Ideally, it should cover not just major sports like football, basketball and tennis but also niche sports and emerging markets like horse racing, cockfight, greyhound racing, etc. Such extensive coverage may assist in attracting a larger audience and keeping them interested throughout the year.
Legal Aids & Assistance
Running a sportsbook comes with the need to meet strict legal requirements, and partnering with a licensed provider helps you deliver legal operation on your platform.
Look for potential providers that possess and ensure compliance with local and international regulations. Not only is this necessary to help protect your business, but it also helps in building trust with your users.
Post-Launch Support
The launch of your sportsbook is just the start; the journey doesn’t end there. Therefore, look for a provider who ensures detailed and continuous post-launch assistance to eradicate challenges running a sports betting platform.
From regular updates to the software, technical assistance, and even continued training for your personnel. An engaged provider not only ensures a smooth-running platform but also makes sure you stay on top of the competition.
Expertise of Developers
Having experienced developers on the team will help to ensure that best practices are followed and innovatively brought together to edge the competition. Look for experienced developers in the sports betting domain along with updated technology knowledge who can help your sportsbook business achieve its goals.
With a skilled provider and team of developers, create a platform that is reliable, user-friendly, and scalable to work for the operator and bettors. Utilize the knowledge and creativity to develop innovative features that will distinguish your sportsbook from the others in the industry.
Authorized & Top-tier Integrations
You need a provider for sports betting platform that offers integrations from authorized, trusted, and authentic service providers. Let’s see for the case of odds to understand this. The higher the quality and accuracy of your odds, the higher are chances for users to win, and higher is their retention on your platform.
Likewise, consider the sportsbook bookie platform provider who has multiple integrations with third-party services like payment gateways, data feeds, and customer support systems. These integrations can improve the features of your sportsbook and create a smooth user experience.
Top 5 Sports Betting Software Providers in 2025 For Your Business Excellence
In the ever-evolving atmosphere of sports betting, selecting the ideal software service provider is crucial to ensuring your platform's success. Fast forward to 2025, here is some of the standout companies making waves with innovative solutions, vast features and commitment towards excellence. Below are the top five sports betting software providers for your business:
KodeDice
As pioneers of cutting-edge technology and the use of interfaces in sports betting software, KodeDice has become a leading name in the field today. They have a robust product and platform which covers the vast majority of sports the users want to bet on for all major popular regions.
KodeDice also offers strong licensing support to operators, enabling them to navigate complex and diverse regulatory frameworks around the world. Even after the launch, KodeDice provides outstanding customer support and gives constant updates to your platform so that it runs seamlessly.
KodeDice, with multiple integrations such as payment gateways and data feeds, is the best choice to make apps and websites for any sports betting business.
Why Choose KodeDice?
Modern tech stacks, tools, and user-friendly setups
Wider sports coverage from majority of regions
Strong licensing support and direction through regulation
Post-launch support and regular maintenance
Multiple integration like payment gateways and data feeds
2. BetRadar
BetRadar is praised for its rich sports data and odds services. Services and solutions by BetRadar include a wide range of sports, ensuring users access real-time updates, analytics to fine-tune betting strategy.
The bookie software and services offered by BetRadar is extremely flexible, which means that operators can customize the platform and tailor it to their specific needs. They provide a consistent level of post-launch support including regular updates and maintenance.
3. Kambi
Kambi is a renowned name in the sports betting industry, providing a fully configurable sports gambling option. With incredible features such as live betting or in-play betting and real-time updates of betting odds, they make a seamless user experience.
Kambi offer multiple integration options across their platform from payment processors to customer support systems. They also provide a range of post-launch services including regular maintenance, and technical support to ensure that your platform operates without a hitch.
4. Playtech
Playtech is among the top betting software developers globally, specializing in sports betting and offering impactful features and unrivaled sports coverage. With their platform, they provide everything from live streaming to in-play betting and even advanced analytics.
Highly scalable software designed for operators of all sizes. They also provide excellent post-launch support that includes regular updates and maintenance to keep your platform competitive. Playtech is an established name for any sports betting business with multiple integrations.
5. BetConstruct
BetConstruct is one of the best sportsbook software providers in the industry with a comprehensive sportsbook development and extensive coverage of sports. Live betting, real-time odds updates, advanced analytics are just some of the features that are included in their software.
The bookie platform by BetConstruct comes completely customizable, enabling operators to adjust the player experience to their exact requirements. Their post-launch support, including routine maintenance and technical assistance, is in a league of its own.
Final Words Tapping into any business or industry in its era of transformational growth could be challenging, but taking an advantage of the opportunity shouldn’t be missed, and when it is especially about sportsbook – it is on the verge of its growth and revolutionization.
The year 2025 is poised to be a landmark year for sports betting. And with the best-in-breed technology, a deep understanding of the market, and the right partners, entrepreneurs can create a competitive sportsbook platform.
Utilizing modern sportsbook software solutions and keeping pace with the latest trends, these businesses can provide fascinating betting experiences while ensuring long-term profitability in the industry.
With your sight set on the sportsbook launch, team up with KodeDice!
Your Queries Answered! (FAQs)
What is a sportsbook? What does sportsbook mean?
Sportsbooks refer to the digital or retail platforms where bettors can place a bet on sporting events. It could be a local establishment or an internet marketplace that allows wagers in sports such as football, basketball, baseball, etc. Sportsbook set the odds, take bets and pay out winnings to the players winning the bets.
What sportsbook has the best odds?
There are many sportsbooks from several providers which have the best odds for various sports events. To get the best odds for your sportsbook, you may require exhaustive research and analysis of each sportsbook in trend or simply utilize KodeDice’s sportsbook which comes with relevant, accurate, trusted, and live odds for every sport covered. The odds we integrate to the sportsbook are integrated from top and authentic providers, thus enhancing your performance and profitability.
What is a sports bookie?
A sports bookie (also known as a bookmaker, or simply a book) is a person or organization that accepts bets on various sporting events. These “bookies” determine the odds of all different types of bets and then they organize the betting, so in the end they’re guaranteed to profit regardless of the outcome.
What makes the best sportsbook app?
The best sportsbook app usually comprises of following elements:
Easy to use, smooth UI/UX
Wide range of sports coverage
Live betting accessibility
Secure payment system
Excellent customer support
Real-time odds updates
In-play betting benefits
Personalized recommendation features, etc.
What is a social sportsbook?
A social sportsbook is a kind of platform for betting which comes integrated with social connectivity features to allow users seamless and real-time interaction, share bets, and compete with other players using social networking elements. Social sportsbook has become popular for its unique benefits of crafting a community-driven betting experience.
How to develop your own website for betting?
To develop your betting website, here’s the brief outline you need to follow:
Research on the market and plan your business
Analyze and set compliance with legal requirements
Choose a reliable sportsbook provider
Design the platform
Development and integrations, as required
Security implementation
Testing and quality assurance
Marketing and launch
How much do you need to invest in starting a sportsbook?
The investment or cost involved in starting a sportsbook includes several elements and processes like planning the development, licensing fees, resource requirements, customization requirements, software costs, marketing costs, operational expenses, and beyond.
Book a free 30-min discovery call with our experts to get all your answers about sportsbook business development. Book a call!
When can I start my own online sportsbook?
You can start your online sports betting business as soon as you have:
Obtained the required licenses
Developed the platform
Payment gateways and security is integrated
Thorough testing is conducted.
Do I require a gaming license to run a sportsbook?
Yes, a gaming license is required to run a sportsbook legally. The type of license required depends on the jurisdiction so ensure you fully understand your local requirements.
Read more and get your license acquisition for sportsbook from KodeDice.
What payment methods does my sportsbook platform need to support?
Your sportsbook platform needs to support a variety of payment methods, such as:
Credit and debit cards
E-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, Stripe, Neteller, etc.
Bank transfers
Cryptocurrencies, etc.
How can I attract users to my sportsbook platform?
There are several ways you can attract users to your sportsbook platform.
Provide competitive odds and promotions
Offer easy-to-use UI/UX and bonuses
Implement marketing and advertising
Participate on social media platforms
Offer excellent customer service
Broaden the range of sports and betting options, etc.